News Releases

Fair Board Announces 2012 San Diego County Fair Dates

Released: August 09, 2011

DEL MAR, CA — The 22nd District Agricultural Association Board of Directors announced the dates for the 2012 San Diego County Fair today at the monthly board meeting held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The dates for the 2012 San Diego County Fair will be Friday, June 8, to Wednesday, July 4.

Fairgrounds General Manager and CEO Tim Fennell stated, “Next year July 4th falls on a Wednesday, giving us an opportunity to extend the Fair from 22 to 24 days, if approved by the Board.” The number of days the Fair will run and the theme for 2012 Fair are to be determined at the next 22nd District Agricultural Association Board Meeting to be held September 13.

The 2011 San Diego County Fair broke attendance records for the third year in a row. The largest one-day attendance of 88,757 took place on Sunday, July 3. “Extending the Fair a day or two next year could help
alleviate traffic and parking congestion as well as give more folks the opportunity to visit one of the finest fairs in the United States,” Fennell added.

The San Diego County Fair is the largest annual event in San Diego County and the sixth largest fair in the United States, drawing more than 1.4 million visitors annually. The 2011 Fair was open June 10 through July 4 and was closed on the first three Mondays (June 13, 20 and 27).

The Fair's 2011 attendance was 1,412,113, an all-time record.

The 22nd District Agricultural Association is a State of California agency that owns and operates the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Surfside Race Place, Horsepark Equestrian Center and the Del Mar Golf Center. The 22nd DAA produces five events each year: The San Diego County Fair, the Del Mar National Horse Show, Professional Bull Riding (PBR), The Scream Zone and Holiday of Lights. The Fairgrounds hosts more than 350 events annually, the largest of which is the live horse racing meet each summer, which is
operated by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club for the 22nd DAA and the State of California. For more information on the Fairgrounds, visit www.delmarfairgrounds.com. For more information on the San Diego County Fair, visit www.sdfair.com.